Police Help Christmas Tree Farm Stay Open

Published Dec 8, 2015 at 4:54 AM

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Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm in Manchester is open for business – it was originally set to close this season after the family who owns the farm experienced a tragedy earlier this year.

Lynn Steele and her husband Arthur began growing the trees in 1985, shortly after they got married.

In September, Arthur died after falling off a bulldozer.

The tragedy left Steele with hundreds of trees to care for on her own, along with a broken heart. She was also limited by multiple sclerosis, which leaves her in a wheel chair.

“That was the end of the farm I mean I took the big sign out front and I put a sign out,” said Steele.

“To hear that they weren’t going to be in operation this year because of his passing and because of her physical limitations I figured it was something we might be able to give her a helping hand,” said Dan Doyon with the Manchester Police Department.

Doyon is part of the force’s community policing unit. He was called to Steele’s house a few days before and noticed the “not in business” sign at the farm. Instead, the unit volunteered their Saturday to help make her Christmas tree farm a reality one more time -- 38 of the 300 Christmas trees were sold.

“I kept thinking I know he’s watching this. I know he’s watching this and so happy and thrilled that people are stepping up to help out,” said Steele.

The police department plans to volunteer at the Vernon Street farm every Saturday before Christmas 10- 4 PM to help sell trees.

"It’s absolutely extraordinary. That somebody would do something just for one person," said Steele.